Whether past or present Rotarians, old or young, and with friends
from as far away as their sister Club, Frankston in Melbourne, members of the
Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise came together on Friday evening to celebrate
twenty-five years of service to the Christchurch community.
Thousands of local residents have benefited from funds
raised by members volunteering their time and expertise to help with local
events such as children’s entertainment, Rugby Car parking, Film Festivals,
House Auction and Telethon to name a few. There has been much support through
community activities for youth, who have enjoyed courses in Leadership and Sciences,
Outward Bound, Secondary School Speech contests, Special Olympics and Rotary
Youth Exchange experiences with various countries around the World. The Club
has also supported the setup of the Rotarac Club, a group of young people who
contribute in many ways to the wellbeing of our city.
Other projects, too numerous to list, have included the Neo-natal
Unit at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Cholmondley Home, Ronald McDonald House,
Child Research and Medical Oncology Research, Disabled Equestrian Riding, local
schools and the Hospital helicopter
landing pad. The Club has recently been involved in the clean-up of tagging
from Christchurch buildings left vacant after the earthquake and members were
amongst the many helping to deliver food hampers and water to those affected
immediately after the earthquake in February 2011.
Christchurch Sunrise has also been involved internationally
in Polio eradication, the Tanzania water project, a school classroom for
Vanuatu, Pacific Disaster relief and help with the aftermath of the Australian
Bushfires.
The twenty-fifth Jubilee has given the Club the opportunity to
celebrate the success they have been able to achieve collectively and to honour
several of their members who have had outstanding success in the work they have
done through the Club.
How much more will they manage in the next twenty-five
years?
- By: Dianne Wilson
Website for more information: www.christchurchsunrise.rotarydownunder.org
